It’s 2020, and Galway, Ireland is celebrating being the European Capital of Culture. The festivities are kicking off this week throughout the county, and as a long time lover of Galway, I sure wish I was there! Chances are, we will visit sometime in 2020, and I look forward to seeing all that’s happening during this momentous year!
If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time or follow me on social media, you’ll know that Galway is one of my favorite places on the planet. I am thrilled that we have already taken our 22 month old to Galway twice and can’t wait until he is old enough to understand how beautiful and special the town and county are.
Read some recent Galway posts:
Our Most Recent Trip to Galway – Food
One thing I love about Galway and Ireland in general in recent years is the celebration of gin, via many local distillers, craft cocktails, and bars devoted to gin. My tastes have changed over the years, and my palate, once a fan of smoky scotches and whiskeys now loves the botanical notes and clean, crisp flavors of a good Irish gin.
On the last day of our last trip to Galway, we made a stop at Hyde Bar and Gin Parlour. I had walked by the space earlier in the week and peeked inside; it is absolutely gorgeous, and I knew I had to squeeze a stop in.
Adorned with colorful murals, quirky furnishings, funky light fixtures, and fun art, Hyde is a feast for the eyes in addition to being a great spot for cocktails and snacks. I was also surprised how kid-friendly it felt late afternoon on a Saturday. I wouldn’t bring my son during the evening, but he well enjoyed fries and ice cream with his cousin as an afternoon treat. There was plenty of noise and bustle that I didn’t feel he was bothering anyone, which is a concern of mine when we choose restaurants.
Hyde, as one would guess, has a spectacular selection of gins in their Gin Bible. A variety of tonics and garnishes help to make for endless pairing opportunities. Other spirits and cocktails are also available, in addition to low and no alcohol drinks. There’s something for everyone!
Everywhere you look there’s beautiful or unexpected detail.
And the simple bites we had were delicious! We were a little peckish after wandering around town, even after our big lunch at Il Vicolo (which is amazing).
A cheese plate, fries, and dessert made for perfect sharing plates for our little group. Along with another gin and tonic, of course.
Hyde Bar is definitely a spot I will visit again. If you’re looking for additional places to go out in Galway, check out my travel blog page.
